Nutrition by Dawn - Blog

If I asked you whether exercise is a part of your self-care routine, you’d probably tell me that that entire idea is an oxymoron. You may think of exercise as tedious time at the gym on a treadmill, or feeling hot and sweaty after a long workout, and that probably doesn’t line up with your idea of a relaxing self-care session. But if you will bear with me for a bit, maybe we can help you shift your mindset.

Exercise can be tedious if you aren’t doing something you actually enjoy, and yes, you’re likely to sweat while you’re working out, but exercise can be so much more than just a chore you dread. Exercise can be social. Exercise can be fun. Exercise can be self-care for your soul. 

I consider my daily workout as a part of my self-care routine. It helps me feel better physically, and it can also help me clear my mind and feel energized and ready to take on the day. 

I like to keep my exercise fun whenever possible so I’m not stuck in a tedious routine that I’m just trying to get finished. One way I do this is by playing pickleball. I picked up this activity with my family and some friends, and now pickleball is a way that I get together with my loved ones, have a great time, and work up a sweat. I work towards completing my step count during the day, play some pickleball in the evening, and then stretch afterwards for a well-rounded and fun workout. 

I absolutely consider this kind of workout a part of my self-care. I socialize while I play, and sometimes we’ll grab a bite to eat when we’re finished playing too. Working up a sweat gets my energy levels up and racquet sports are great for keeping my core strong too. I genuinely enjoy the time that I spend playing, and having fun with my workout makes me eager to do it, not to get it done. 

My body performs better with regular exercise. I get a little stronger, more flexible, and work up a good sweat, and that helps me feel my best. For me, that’s what self-care is all about. 

The end goal of our self-care is to take care of ourselves. It helps us feel great and give back to others. Taking care of the only body we have is a super important part of self-care, and it helps with our physical, mental, and emotional health, all at the same time. 

If you’re not already in my Never Diet Again group, join us now for more conversations on the many ways to practice self-care. Click here to join!

How do you workout in a way that you actually enjoy? Let me know in the comments! 

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